In Samar
TACLOBAN CITY — Community members and government workers in the island municipality of Daram, Samar collected more than three tons of coastal waste during an annual clean-up drive aimed at reducing marine pollution and protecting local marine ecosystems.
About 250 volunteers joined the activity on Monday, Jan.12, along the shorelines of Poblacion villages 1, 2, and 3, gathering approximately 3,450 kilograms of trash, or 115 sacks, according to the Municipal Environment and Natural Resources Office (MENRO).
The waste consisted mostly of single-use plastics, non-biodegradable materials, and discarded fishing gear, all of which pose threats to marine life, public health, and coastal livelihoods.
MENRO said the clean-up drive is conducted yearly to raise environmental awareness and address the growing problem of marine debris in the island town. Participants included residents, students, and municipal employees who helped collect and segregate the waste.
Collected materials will be properly disposed of or recycled in line with the municipality’s solid waste management program.
The activity is part of Daram’s broader environmental initiatives, which include regular coastal clean-ups, education campaigns, and partnerships with environmental groups such as Oceana, in support of the national government’s coastal conservation efforts.
(ROEL T. AMAZONA)
